Story perspectives

Undersea Internet Cables: A Vulnerable Lifeline at Risk

9/3/2025

Summary

Story summary

Undersea internet cables are vulnerable to geopolitical sabotage, as seen in the January 2025 disruption between Gotland and Latvia.
Over 570 fiber optic cables carry more than 99% of global internet traffic, highlighting their critical importance.
Cable construction requires specialized ships and significant investment, often costing hundreds of millions.
Human activities, especially fishing trawlers, are the primary cause of cable faults.
The network's redundancy allows data rerouting to prevent total internet outages from single cable cuts.

1 of 1

Story summary

Undersea internet cables are vulnerable to geopolitical sabotage, as seen in the January 2025 disruption between Gotland and Latvia.
Over 570 fiber optic cables carry more than 99% of global internet traffic, highlighting their critical importance.
Cable construction requires specialized ships and significant investment, often costing hundreds of millions.
Human activities, especially fishing trawlers, are the primary cause of cable faults.
The network's redundancy allows data rerouting to prevent total internet outages from single cable cuts.